Trains.com

Chatterbox Fall 2018

15319 views
246 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Defiance Ohio
  • 13,319 posts
Posted by JoeKoh on Monday, December 3, 2018 5:01 PM

evening

Ns had an autorack train in the siding when I left work.Mother nature was snowing/raining as well.Matt is job shadowing the county engineer tomorrow.Chores to do.

stay safe

Joe

Deshler Ohio-crossroads of the B&O Matt eats your fries.YUM! Clinton st viaduct undefeated against too tall trucks!!!(voted to be called the "Clinton St. can opener").

 

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Denver / La Junta
  • 10,820 posts
Posted by mudchicken on Monday, December 3, 2018 12:57 PM

He (Glenn Ryle) now has a high school named after him in Northern KY.

(somebody else that grew up near where Electroliner and I grew-up. And we didn't have Bozo the Clown or Howdy Doody - We had Skipper Ryle, Uncle Al/Captain Wendy and The Dave Smith puppets (Hattie the Witch/ Snarfy-R-Dawg) in the Cincy kids market...my sisters knew the Lewis kids)

One of DQ's masters was Gabe Chengari who lives north of Denver - wonder if he will be back in the pilot house at all?

Mudchicken Nothing is worth taking the risk of losing a life over. Come home tonight in the same condition that you left home this morning in. Safety begins with ME.... cinscocom-west
  • Member since
    February 2005
  • From: Cordes Jct Ariz.
  • 1,305 posts
Posted by switch7frg on Monday, December 3, 2018 9:40 AM

Question Does this mean that Skipper Ryle is no longer Captain of that great ship??  That caliope is quite a hoot, it sure vibrates  window panes and keeps the birds away from the area. The Queen  sure is a site to see and hear. I know , as a Youngster in the area around the Cincy riverfront.

Y6bs evergreen in my mind

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Northern New York
  • 25,021 posts
Posted by tree68 on Monday, December 3, 2018 7:30 AM

Electroliner 1935
Actually we were bussed from Nashville to Clarksville where it left from, account Corp of Engneers work on the river.

Fixing potholes?  

Rode the "Boblo boats" several times from Detroit to Boblo (Bois Blanc) Island, onetime site of an amusement park.  They were grand old ladies.  Both the Columbia and the St. Clair still exist, although the St. Clair suffered a fire and faces an uncertain future.

While it was possible to drive to Amherstburg, ON and take a short shuttle over to the park, getting there, as they say, was part of the fun of the day.  It was an hour cruise from the downtown Detriot dock to Boblo Island.

LarryWhistling
Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) 
Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you
My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date
Come ride the rails with me!
There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Defiance Ohio
  • 13,319 posts
Posted by JoeKoh on Sunday, December 2, 2018 1:18 PM

afternoon

Was outside getting my Vitamin"D" while I could.Csx ran some trains through.The local(J 715) dropped of a refrigerator car in the ND&W siding at Fc.The ND&W have plenty of boxcars to move around.There were some in the CSX siding,in their yard siding and on the main to come back in from Napoleon.They have also pulled up yards tracks in Defiance.There is some late 1800 rail in the pile I'm sure.Chores to do here.Back to winter weather tomorrow.

stay safe

Joe

Deshler Ohio-crossroads of the B&O Matt eats your fries.YUM! Clinton st viaduct undefeated against too tall trucks!!!(voted to be called the "Clinton St. can opener").

 

  • Member since
    September 2010
  • 2,515 posts
Posted by Electroliner 1935 on Friday, November 30, 2018 10:00 PM

mudchicken

Ecstatic here.The Delta Queen will once again roam the rivers! Congress FINALLY got off their butts and gave the old lady an exemption.

Looking forward to renewing an old friendship with this 1927 lady with a Krupp steam powerplant, scottish hull and american superstructure. (The garbage scow in Louisville [ex-Idlewild] better get ready to surrender the antlers during Kentucky Derby week)....Her calliope is a treat.

I just saw her at Houma, LA in a backwater slough in October and it was kinda depressing. Better she looks this way:

B9316314813Z.1_20150219151304_000_GKRA0KN18.1-0

 

Thank you for this post. I grew up in Cincinnati which for most of its operation under the Green Line was home base for the Delta Queen. Finally got to ride it with my wife on a run from Nashville to Pittsburg. Actually we were bussed from Nashville to Clarksville where it left from, account Corp of Engneers work on the river. It was wonderful. Great crew.  Not like the new ships but a great operation. And that compound steam engine is QUIET. The hotel power is not loud but not 0 db either. Burns bunker C fuel oil which we loaded up on at a dock near (I think) Arora IN. Hope whoever is operating it now has a successful operation.

  • Member since
    June 2001
  • From: Lombard (west of Chicago), Illinois
  • 13,681 posts
Posted by CShaveRR on Friday, November 30, 2018 4:43 PM

I sent out a 16-page report to my carchaeology friends late last night.  One of them wrote back, "You have been busy", which is an understatement.  One series of about 300 gondolas came with an assortment of origins that was pretty unbelievable.  I hope my table (with more notation markings than an old Official Guide listing, plus some notes) did the series justice.

Then today, I had to rush out a quick one-page addendum because I saw a car from a 652-car series that hadn't been shown in the running new-builds table at the beginning of the month.  New table due out tomorrow, and now these XTTX flat cars will be included, whether from me or from someone else.  Build dates range from August through November, and the cars are still being built.

I think our railroad through town has finally cut in Positive Train Control...I'm starting to get notifications of delays from Metra attributable to PTC issues.

Carl

Railroader Emeritus (practiced railroading for 46 years--and in 2010 I finally got it right!)

CAACSCOCOM--I don't want to behave improperly, so I just won't behave at all. (SM)

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Defiance Ohio
  • 13,319 posts
Posted by JoeKoh on Friday, November 30, 2018 4:42 PM

evening

Ns has an eastbound coal train in the siding at work.The local was also uptown waiting for a crew.Going to go visit brother and watch some trains.Hopefully catch the CP Holiday train.Going to be a wet day tomorrow.

stay safe

Joe

Deshler Ohio-crossroads of the B&O Matt eats your fries.YUM! Clinton st viaduct undefeated against too tall trucks!!!(voted to be called the "Clinton St. can opener").

 

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Defiance Ohio
  • 13,319 posts
Posted by JoeKoh on Thursday, November 29, 2018 5:36 PM

evening

Still plenty of work to do.Overheard a truck driver ask how much does it snow in Ohio.He has just moved to the area from Florida.Will want to move back south soon.Glad tomorrow is Friday.

stay safe

Joe

Deshler Ohio-crossroads of the B&O Matt eats your fries.YUM! Clinton st viaduct undefeated against too tall trucks!!!(voted to be called the "Clinton St. can opener").

 

  • Member since
    September 2013
  • 6,199 posts
Posted by Miningman on Wednesday, November 28, 2018 7:11 PM

Overmod-- Now just what tune would Lily be jumping around to ??

Not sure it's as easy as it looks... you really don't have your arms to balance yourself... I can see myself going sideways at the Christmas Party after 3 or 4 bourbons. But then, that's what Christmas Party's are for. 

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Defiance Ohio
  • 13,319 posts
Posted by JoeKoh on Wednesday, November 28, 2018 5:55 PM

Evening

Light snow predicted for tomorrow.Did errands after work.Coworker and son were out as well.He is ready for Santa to come.Chores here at home.

stay safe

Joe

Deshler Ohio-crossroads of the B&O Matt eats your fries.YUM! Clinton st viaduct undefeated against too tall trucks!!!(voted to be called the "Clinton St. can opener").

 

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Denver / La Junta
  • 10,820 posts
Posted by mudchicken on Wednesday, November 28, 2018 5:49 PM

Overmod
 
mudchicken
The garbage scow in Louisville [ex-Idlewild] better get ready to surrender the antlers during Kentucky Derby week

 

Not so sure, unless the Queen gets someone like this guy

setting up for a valve-and-ring job... it was pretty damn close in past years.  Not sure I would do the antler dance prematurely.

Thanks, Lilly ... has it been that long?  Where did the time go?

 

 

The garbage scow can be counted on regularly to cheat.

Mudchicken Nothing is worth taking the risk of losing a life over. Come home tonight in the same condition that you left home this morning in. Safety begins with ME.... cinscocom-west
  • Member since
    September 2003
  • 21,669 posts
Posted by Overmod on Wednesday, November 28, 2018 4:43 PM

mudchicken
The garbage scow in Louisville [ex-Idlewild] better get ready to surrender the antlers during Kentucky Derby week

Not so sure, unless the Queen gets someone like this guy

setting up for a valve-and-ring job... it was pretty damn close in past years.  Not sure I would do the antler dance prematurely.

Thanks, Lilly ... has it been that long?  Where did the time go?

 

  • Member since
    August 2005
  • From: At the Crossroads of the West
  • 11,013 posts
Posted by Deggesty on Wednesday, November 28, 2018 4:18 PM

I do not know how well-known this is, but the Delta Queen was built for, and used in, overnight service between San Francisco and Sacramento. The Delta King, which was built and served at the same time, is in Sacramento--and provided my wife and me a pleasant overnight experience several years ago. Of course, the cabins were remodeled so as to provide a little more room and private shower and toilet facilities; ours was a little bit cramped, but we enjoyed the stay, complete with dinner and breakfast on board.

The Delta King is now a fast boat--it is fast to the dock.

Johnny

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Denver / La Junta
  • 10,820 posts
Posted by mudchicken on Wednesday, November 28, 2018 3:00 PM

Ecstatic here.The Delta Queen will once again roam the rivers! Congress FINALLY got off their butts and gave the old lady an exemption.

Looking forward to renewing an old friendship with this 1927 lady with a Krupp steam powerplant, scottish hull and american superstructure. (The garbage scow in Louisville [ex-Idlewild] better get ready to surrender the antlers during Kentucky Derby week)....Her calliope is a treat.

I just saw her at Houma, LA in a backwater slough in October and it was kinda depressing. Better she looks this way:

B9316314813Z.1_20150219151304_000_GKRA0KN18.1-0

Mudchicken Nothing is worth taking the risk of losing a life over. Come home tonight in the same condition that you left home this morning in. Safety begins with ME.... cinscocom-west
  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Northern New York
  • 25,021 posts
Posted by tree68 on Wednesday, November 28, 2018 7:24 AM

JoeKoh
Light snow here in NW Ohio.

Haven't gotten a lot of snow, but calling it light wouldn't be appropriate.  The temperature has been hanging right around freezing, so the snow is pretty wet, and heavy.  I wouldn't bother with the inch or so in the driveway, but if it freezes in place, cleaning it later will be a problem...

One fellow last night skipped the ditchfinders and went straight to his embankment locator.  Fortunately, he wasn't hurt, and damage to the vehicle was reported minor, but his SUV was just barely visible through the brush at the bottom of the embankment...

LarryWhistling
Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) 
Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you
My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date
Come ride the rails with me!
There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...

  • Member since
    March 2016
  • From: Burbank IL (near Clearing)
  • 13,540 posts
Posted by CSSHEGEWISCH on Wednesday, November 28, 2018 6:50 AM

CShaveRR

I did ride the Burlington from 1980 to 1987.  I've been a regular rider of the Southwest Service (ex-Wabash, even the timetable is blue) since that date.

The daily commute is part of everyday life but I get two rides a day out of it. Paul
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Defiance Ohio
  • 13,319 posts
Posted by JoeKoh on Tuesday, November 27, 2018 4:40 PM

Light snow here in NW Ohio.Chores to do here to.Ns had a few cars uptown.

stay safe

Joe

Deshler Ohio-crossroads of the B&O Matt eats your fries.YUM! Clinton st viaduct undefeated against too tall trucks!!!(voted to be called the "Clinton St. can opener").

 

  • Member since
    June 2001
  • From: Lombard (west of Chicago), Illinois
  • 13,681 posts
Posted by CShaveRR on Tuesday, November 27, 2018 2:24 PM

blue streak 1

Carl any information on the Cicero train wreck that damaged the platform ?  How bad is the damage ?



My understanding is that BNSF/Metra are down to one track through here and the inbound platform is out of service.  This morning inbound trains scheduled to stop at Cicero were not doing so...advice was to use CTA (which was honoring Metra tickets) or the Lavergne or Halsted stops on the Metra line.  That was then; I don't know about now.

Hegewisch Paul uses that route, I think--he may have something to add.

Carl

Railroader Emeritus (practiced railroading for 46 years--and in 2010 I finally got it right!)

CAACSCOCOM--I don't want to behave improperly, so I just won't behave at all. (SM)

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Denver / La Junta
  • 10,820 posts
Posted by mudchicken on Tuesday, November 27, 2018 12:17 PM

rvos1979

Well, that was a fun morning. Apparently, some Illinois DOT plow drivers forgot how to apply salt to the roads, I 39 between Rockford and La Salle was a solid sheet of ice. Where salt was used, we had at least one lane down to pavement, albeit not completely cleaned up..........

Off to bed...........

 

They (IDOT) are flat busted broke - probably could not buy salt.

Mudchicken Nothing is worth taking the risk of losing a life over. Come home tonight in the same condition that you left home this morning in. Safety begins with ME.... cinscocom-west
  • Member since
    October 2014
  • From: Flint or Grand Rapids, Mi or Elkhart, It Depends on the day
  • 573 posts
Posted by BOB WITHORN on Tuesday, November 27, 2018 10:06 AM

They fixed the right hand on the 19th, stitches out thursday then it's on to the left. Carpal Tunnel is a real pain.

  • Member since
    December 2007
  • From: Georgia USA SW of Atlanta
  • 11,919 posts
Posted by blue streak 1 on Tuesday, November 27, 2018 6:39 AM

Carl any information on the Cicero train wreck that damaged the platform ?  How bad is the damage ?

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Burlington, WI
  • 1,418 posts
Posted by rvos1979 on Monday, November 26, 2018 10:10 PM

Well, that was a fun morning. Apparently, some Illinois DOT plow drivers forgot how to apply salt to the roads, I 39 between Rockford and La Salle was a solid sheet of ice. Where salt was used, we had at least one lane down to pavement, albeit not completely cleaned up..........

Off to bed...........

Randy Vos

"Ever have one of those days where you couldn't hit the ground with your hat??" - Waylon Jennings

"May the Lord take a liking to you and blow you up, real good" - SCTV

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Northern New York
  • 25,021 posts
Posted by tree68 on Monday, November 26, 2018 9:49 PM

CShaveRR
No school today, so our street (a bus route; school across the street) didn't get plowed until close to 4:00 p.m.  

I can usually tell whether there is school by what time the plow goes by.  The town highway guys deny it, but I still say they don't plow as early if the buses aren't running...

LarryWhistling
Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) 
Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you
My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date
Come ride the rails with me!
There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Defiance Ohio
  • 13,319 posts
Posted by JoeKoh on Monday, November 26, 2018 5:13 PM

evening

Snow stayed in the grassy areas here at home.Neighbor's dog was running loose.I like dogs if they stay home.Going to get cleaned up.Plenty of more work to do tomorrow.

stay safe

Joe

Deshler Ohio-crossroads of the B&O Matt eats your fries.YUM! Clinton st viaduct undefeated against too tall trucks!!!(voted to be called the "Clinton St. can opener").

 

  • Member since
    June 2001
  • From: Lombard (west of Chicago), Illinois
  • 13,681 posts
Posted by CShaveRR on Monday, November 26, 2018 4:31 PM

We got 2-3 times what you did on this part of the layout.  No school today, so our street (a bus route; school across the street) didn't get plowed until close to 4:00 p.m.  We just finished digging out what they plowed into our apron; the rest of the driveway can wait.

Our garbage pickup was postponed a day; we'll just leave the cans out.

Relatively few delays on Metra here; we're now back to "freight train interference" as the leading cause.

No car movement for us today; we should be able to break out tomorrow.

Carl

Railroader Emeritus (practiced railroading for 46 years--and in 2010 I finally got it right!)

CAACSCOCOM--I don't want to behave improperly, so I just won't behave at all. (SM)

  • Member since
    March 2016
  • From: Burbank IL (near Clearing)
  • 13,540 posts
Posted by CSSHEGEWISCH on Monday, November 26, 2018 7:36 AM

We had winter storm warnings posted for our area yesterday but when I left for work this morning (5:00 am) our part of town had 1-2 inches of slush on the ground.  The train arrived at CUS on time.  Most areas further north got up to a foot of snow.

The daily commute is part of everyday life but I get two rides a day out of it. Paul
  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Northern New York
  • 25,021 posts
Posted by tree68 on Monday, November 26, 2018 5:05 AM

Warm up!  At least for a day or two.  First time in over a week we've been able to completely shut down the train (HEP and locomotives), as the temps are supposed to stay above freezing, even overnight.

Good crowds all weekend on the Polar Express.  Found out a friend's grandkids were on the train Friday, but I don't see much of the passengers sitting in the cab of the loco.

LarryWhistling
Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) 
Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you
My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date
Come ride the rails with me!
There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Defiance Ohio
  • 13,319 posts
Posted by JoeKoh on Sunday, November 25, 2018 10:43 AM

Morning

Was able to get out and watch Csx for a bit.Q 380 reported switch problems at Indo.Q 351 had 4 extra cars.q 163 needed it's computer reset.Saw about 2 minutes of sun.Chores to do here at home.Back to work tomorrow.

stay safe

Joe

Deshler Ohio-crossroads of the B&O Matt eats your fries.YUM! Clinton st viaduct undefeated against too tall trucks!!!(voted to be called the "Clinton St. can opener").

 

  • Member since
    May 2003
  • From: US
  • 25,292 posts
Posted by BaltACD on Saturday, November 24, 2018 9:07 PM

And mudchicken complains about MofW getting track time ......

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

Join our Community!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

Search the Community

Newsletter Sign-Up

By signing up you may also receive occasional reader surveys and special offers from Trains magazine.Please view our privacy policy